China’s National Immigration Administration announced today that, effective immediately, it is comprehensively easing and optimizing the transit visa-free policy. The allowed stay for eligible foreign transit travelers in China has been extended from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). At the same time, 21 new ports of entry/exit have been added for transit visa-free travelers, and the permitted travel area has been further expanded. Eligible travelers from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, who are transiting through China en route to a third country or region, may enter visa-free through any of 60 open ports across 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, and stay within the designated areas for up to 240 hours.
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The 21 newly added ports under this expanded transit visa-free policy include: Taiyuan Wusu International Airport in Shanxi; Sunan Shuofang and Yangzhou Taizhou international airports in Jiangsu; Wenzhou Longwan and Yiwu international airports in Zhejiang; Hefei Xinqiao and Huangshan Tunxi international airports in Anhui; Fuzhou Changle, Quanzhou Jinjiang, and Wuyishan international airports in Fujian; Nanchang Changbei International Airport in Jiangxi; Jinan Yaoqiang, Yantai Penglai, and Weihai Dashuibo international airports in Shandong; Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport in Hunan; Nanning Wuxu and Beihai Fucheng international airports in Guangxi; Haikou Meilan and Sanya Phoenix international airports in Hainan; Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Sichuan; and Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport in Guizhou. The number of eligible open ports has increased from 39 to 60.
The optimized 240-hour transit visa-free policy also further expands the permitted stay area. The policy previously applied to 19 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Shaanxi. It now adds five more provinces—Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, and Guizhou—for a total of 24 provincial-level regions. Among the five newly added provinces, the permitted stay area covers the entire province in Anhui, Hainan, and Guizhou; Taiyuan and Datong in Shanxi; and Nanchang and Jingdezhen in Jiangxi. In addition, the permitted stay area in Fujian, Hubei, and Shaanxi has been expanded to the entire province, while in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region it has been expanded to the administrative areas of 12 cities: Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin. Foreign travelers entering China under the transit visa-free policy may travel across provincial boundaries within the permitted stay areas of the above 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.
According to a relevant official from the National Immigration Administration, this latest easing and optimization of the transit visa-free policy is an important step in implementing the spirit of the Central Economic Work Conference, proactively supporting high-level opening-up, and facilitating cross-border travel between Chinese and foreign nationals. It will help accelerate cross-border movement of people, promote external exchange and cooperation, and inject new momentum into high-quality economic and social development. Going forward, the administration said it will continue advancing institutional opening in immigration management, further improve policies that facilitate entry and exit, and keep making it easier for foreigners to study, work, and live in China. More international visitors are welcome to come experience the beauty of China in the new era.
If you only want to visit some of these cities in China for a short trip, this effectively means you can stay for 10 days without a visa. The policy also now allows cross-region travel, so you can take high-speed rail or a domestic flight to visit another city and then return. Of course, if you feel 10 days is not long enough, you could still connect through South Korea or Japan, re-enter China, and get another 10-day stay.
In addition, for ethnic Chinese who want to return to China for Lunar New Year, this is also very convenient, since there is no need to go through visa procedures.
These cities are clearly being opened up to attract tourists
